Nestled in a strip mall in Forest Lake, Punch Out Gaming is a hub for card collectors and video game enthusiasts alike. Punch Out Gaming started as a modest booth at a flea market in Ham Lake. I used to buy original Nintendo games at their booth all the time, and to see where they are now is really incredible. Back then, it was a small operation fueled by passion and today they are one of the largest Pokemon suppliers in the Midwest. Upon entering the store, you first notice all the video games. I must admit, the Nintendo games grabbed my attention first. After all – I’m the self proclaimed world champion at Baseball Stars. Once I noticed the 50+ different sealed TCG products at the checkout counter, I was reminded that I was here to see cards.
Just to the left of the checkout counter is the card section. They are using every square foot to its fullest, so there is so much to take in. There are six showcases of cards, with the first four filled w/TCG. The TCG singles in the cases are in a roughly 60/40 split of raw Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards. They also sell Yugioh, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Digimon, and more. Everything is clearly priced except MTG, Yugioh and Dragon Ball cards – those are intentionally untagged as they sell them at the current market price – they have a kiosk where you can quickly and easily look that up. The walls behind the cases are filled with sealed TCG packs and boxes.
The back two cases are filled with sports cards – not just football, baseball, and basketball, but also plenty of hockey, golf, F1, and more. These cases contain slabs, raw cards, and sealed wax. Just as w/TCG, the walls behind the cases are filled with sealed product as well. There are also six 5,000 count boxes and a couple shoeboxes filled w/individually priced singles organized by sport. Additionally, there are a dozen or so complete sets, mystery boxes, supplies, cases, etc.
Prepare to have your mind blown when you turn around. There are close to 100 albums filled with TCG singles for set builders (I lost count at 80) and an assortment of TCG supplies. The next aisle over is filled with more sealed product, including an entire rack with 16 different Elite Trainer Boxes.
Punchout Gaming isn’t just a store; it’s a social hub for the hobby. They host MTG and Pokémon events three nights a week, host birthday parties, and even host card shows. They also provide services such as PSA submissions. I picked up a couple Charizard promo cards while I was there.
If you are into TCG, Punchout Gaming is a must-see shop and is worth the trip no matter how far away you may live. The sports cards and video games added on top make it a store that has something for everyone. You can find out more about Punch Out Gaming including directions in our card shop directory. If you’d like to have me visit your store next, or would like to challenge me at Baseball Stars – feel free to email info@cardsota.com!